The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-04-23


stopped before one Of the richest windows
on Twenty-third street. II was filled with !
costly needlework-very rare, very costlys
and trimmed with the finest lace were some
Infants dresses; they were intended for
the dNFiiaEs Of the wealthy, where cost is
never taken into accobht--the price was
fifty dollars, and cheap at that, was, !,
however, consoled by the reelection that
this lavish extravaganza, at least, gave
profitable employment to The poor. re-
us look into that matter said he; know
the woman who made those dresses; let us
60 and see her. he led the way across the
Avenue down one OF the side streets till we
reached rev Of tenement houses Of the
poorest class--up three rickety pair Of stairs,
knock at the fist door to the right, and we
are standing in the room Of the woman
who made those beautifal dresses. Wretch
edly poor is the Furnitpre of the room, but
clean and neat; white sheet is spread on
the fooi that the work nay not be soiled,
and on four low stools two women and two
yeuHg girls are making their fingers fly.
They scarcely look, up, for time Is money!,
and oh, how much time for very little
money--ten and twelve weary hours for
fifty or seventy-five cents; rent 10 pay, food
to buy, and remorseless wolf ever howl
ing at the door; work, work, work; no
rest, no recreation, no hope. Do you won
der that you find some of them At night
upon the streets; the only wonder is that
there is not more Of them, and that any Of
them escape. Mothers, wives, sisters and
daughters, disappear here; not by dozens,
bat by hundreds, and 1t Is only something
startling like the Railway murder thSt
brings the story outl While this murdered
girl lay in the Morgue, hundreds of fathers,
mothers, husbands, brothers, sisters and
sons have come seeking lost ones who have
suddenly disappeared, and whe will never
be heard of again. But to return; these
Easter windows are piled full of costly
gewgaws-beautifu to look upon, useful
for ornamentatfop--tne work of unrequited
toilers, who scarcely can keep body and
soul together. Several attempts have been
made to reach and help them. but almost
in every instance they have fallen into the
hands of designing spectators, who have
converted them to individual profit Here
is a chance for genuine charity to give
thes thousands of needlewonen chance
terial, give them comfortable place to
work, and let them receive the profits,
which now go into the pockets of mercilcss
and heartless employers. Think OF making
fine shirts at ten and fifteen cents piece
child's beautiful dress full of tucks and
covered with lace for twenty-five or thirty
cents. 1t is half a century since Tom
Hood sang his Song Of a Shirt, and the
condition of the sewing women of New
York to-day is no better than was the con.
ditlon of her English sister fifty years ago
A gentleman OF wealth remarked TO me the
other day: would give five thousand dol
: lars towards an institution which would bC
in measure cooperative in its character
and aid women in realizing the results o.
their labor God help them, they need it
let us hope that this may chrystalize into
{ something for their permanent benefit.
Passion week Is never regarded as gooc
week for theatres, but this week has beer
most exceptional. All the theatres hav
done well, and Wilson Barrett has score,
a triumph, the truculent critics TO the con
trary notwithstanding. For some reason
clique OF Bohemians here have made dea,
:. set at this gentleman, who is one OF th
most deserving and painstakibg actors tha
has ever visited our shores. He came her
!, lunpretentiously,, avoided offensive CLAP
= trap, and relying on his art, appealed I
the American public. The appeal was no
;, made in vain. He has borne himself like
- gentleman and artist, and aside from til
- annoyance of few ours barking at hi
= heels. he has every reason to be satisfie
with his American visit. Patti, once more
dear, dear, Patti, Not SO very dear, m
= neighbor replies. You can get very mic
seat now for six dollars. Oh myl ain
that cheap, fine chance for the women VIII
make shirts for ten cents. But you ca
hear Bernhardt for three dellars-onl
think of it; dirt cheap, let us all go.
e. 1t looks as though spring had come wit
le the passing away of the last polar wave.
: BRoADBRIM